V8: Pacquiao/Clottey, Alexander, Cotto, Khan, and more

Bob Arum/Oscar De La Hoya: Racism or Reality?

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum accused Oscar De La Hoya's Goldenboy Promotions of being "racist" after Filipino reporters were allegedly stopped from being able to speak with P4P contender Floyd Mayweather jr. According to sources close to the matter, the reporters were 'singled out' and never given a fair shot like the others on hand. When you think of Mayweather and some of the things he has both done and been accused of doing, this allegation would seem to fall right on par. That is until you acknowledge a few other details that somehow missed the story. Absent from the story was the fact that Shane Mosley never spoke to this group either, and secondly was the fact that the Filipino crew wasn't the only ones that failed to get in a few words with two fighters, despite it appearing that way when the story went to press. Goldenboy Promotions has always had a policy that somewhat prevents the accessibility of its fighters when it comes to what CEO Schafer calls "secondary sites". Probably isn't right, may not be totally fair, but it's the way they've done business in the past, and all indications say it won't be changing in the future. Mayweather's no saint, but if I can play devils advocate here, I'm afraid it's the policy of GBP here that serves as the 'villain'. Some may not like the policy, but these type of allegations only encourage it even more. Sad but true.

Joshua Clottey: Against All 'Odds'

The betting lines for Clottey's showdown with Pacquiao has many in the industry amounting his chances to a set of stiff odds. As wide as 5 to 1 in some circuits, as gaping as 8 to 1 in others. No matter what the source, seems Clottey simply can't get the nod. In a 1-on-1 with the durable Ghanaian welterweight this very topic came up. His response....."That only means I have to defeat two opponents that night....Pacqiuao and the odds....It won't be easy, but somebody has to do it". And that response was delivered with a very calculating smile. According to Clottey and trainer Lenny DeJesus, the Ghanaian has something up his sleeves. Being such a humble competitor, my money says those 'guns' on each side could prove to be more than enough. Stay tuned.

Pacquiao/Clottey: Check-In, Check Out

'Gator', the burley, bearded member of Team Clottey has issued a stern warning for Manny Pacquiao. That message....worry about performing in the ring...not an after-party! According to the dietician, Clottey is about to come face to face with a brick, and when all is said and done, no one will want to see it! These were some pretty stiff words from old 'Gator', and although there's no way of knowing whether or not Clottey will deliver, what we do know is that Pacquiao checks in to respond, few things in the world will be able to keep us from checkin' it out!

Roach/Pacquiao: We Got Next!

Veteran trainer of Manny Pacquiao - Freddie Roach - has gone on record and stated that he wants the winner of the highly anticipated Mayweather/Mosley showdown. While making his comments, Roach was very clear that while he can't wait to get a shot at that winner, it'll never happen if the opportunity comes attached with pre-set conditions. Doesn't take a genius to realize that this sentiment was a shot out to Mayweather, but it would take a really dumb group of people to let a minimal $40M fall from the table again. I don't know how it's gonna happen, but if both men win (Mayweather/Pacquiao) it's gotta happen! Get 'er done fellas!

Vitali-K on Lewis: 'Momma Says'

Nearly 7 years have gone by, but despite the old adage "time waits for no man", apparently, we now learn that it has in fact waited for two. In the case of Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko, the bitterness that separates the two remains as if the history they shared happened yesterday. Lewis has gone on with his life, knowing in the back of his mind that he got the best of a bad situation. Vitali-K, on the other hand, simply can't let go after realizing the shot he had at Lewis won't come attached to a sequel. Perhaps the reason Lewis can sleep better at night knowing that there won't be a rematch is because like any other good man.....well.....he listened to his Mom! According to Klitshcko, the impromptu meeting that was supposed to involve only the two men somehow found an extra setting on the table, reserved for the person who usually sets it. Klitschko went along (because he had no choice) but didn't feel too comfortable being that it wasn't part of the initial arrangement discussed. When it was all said and done, the conclusion was a call hours later saying that the fight would not happen. BOth men have given their own rendition of what happened, but in the end, it wasn't about a he-say-he-say, it was a matter of a he-say-she-say, as Lewis' Mom allegedly told the former champ don't do it!

Miguel Cotto: Could This Be It?

Bob Arum recently stated that Miguel Cotto's next bout will be in Yankees Stadium in New York City, and that although it will be on HBO, it won't be a PPV affair. That piece of information was pretty easy to gather, but there was a more question that Arum couldn't answer and for lack of better words, found himself somewhat evasive when it came to answering it. That question.....the future of Miguel Cotto. Earlier in the year Cotto said that he would take one more fight before walking away. This decision means that by the end of the year, Arum could very well find himself without two of his most marketable figures, as Pacquiao has also signaled the end is near. Although it's never easy to get into the head of a warrior, I think I can get in the head of these two guys. My money says if both men win (their upcoming fights) both men will continue to fight. Remember where you heard it first.

Devon Alexander: Lou's Clue

With Cory Spinks quiet and somewhat M.I.A., the 'Lou' (St. Louis) has failed to produce a competitive name to carry the mantle. For the longest, it appeared that search would continue, but last Saturday night, that question was answered in a mighty way when jr. welterweight Devon Alexander shocked the world by knocking out the granite chinned Juan Urango. The performance solidified what some of us already knew. Which is the fact that Alexander is as good as it gets for a rising prospect and has a name that we may find ourselves using for years to come. Only days ago, no one knew who would assume the role of lead man in St. Louis, but after 8 rounds and a trail of blood, sweat, and tears, it appears we now have a clue as to who'll lead the way going forward for the 'Lou'.

Malignaggi/Khan: Signed, Sealed......Delivered?

Paul Malignaggi and Amir Khan are set to kick off a press tour within the next few weeks to announce their fight, tentatively scheduled for May 15th at the Mecca, Madison Square Garden, in New York City. All indications say the fight is signed and sealed, but will the young Khan be able to deliver against a slick veteran like Malignaggi? That's the operative question, as no one in his past comes close to the skill level he's about to square off against. Speed and power go to Khan, but experience and ring IQ arguably go to the slick Malignaggi. Some confuse the lack of power for lack of ability, but Malignaggi is far more talented than his KO percentage would suggest. Khan is the star on the rise and the prospect the sport seems to be intent on building up. In order to get through this test he'll have to beat a good man, and he'll have to do it in that mans house. Can he deliver?

(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vwallace@8countnews.com, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook, and Myspace).